Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008?

The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which is easier to trailer — the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008?

For trailering, the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 2 085 lbs for the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many passengers can the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 carry?

The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 has an official capacity rating of 5 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Q: Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 measures 105" wide, compared to 96" for the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008?

The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 has the bigger tank at 49 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 and Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 and the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 are built by Wellcraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008

Wellcraft

Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010

2010

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Wellcraft

Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a modified vee Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 against a deep vee Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 measures 24,0 feet overall (2008), giving it roughly 6,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 at 18,0 feet (2010). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 tips the scales at 2 085 lbs — 2 042 lbs more than the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 at 43 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 has a 300-hp advantage over the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 carries 49 gallons versus 18 gallons in the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 is rated for up to 5 people. Passenger data for the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 wasn't available.

Bottom line: The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 at 24,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 at 18,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.

General Boat Info

MakeWellcraft

Model180 Sportsman

Model252 Fisherman

Model Year201

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam8 ft. (2.44 m)

Beam8 ft. 9 in. (2.66 m)

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Meters2.67

Beam - Inches96

Beam - Inches105

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout Top: 4 ft. 6 in. (1.37 m) With Bimini Top: 6 ft. 7 in. (2.01 m)

Bridge clearance - DetailWithout top: 6 ft. 8 in. (2.03 m) With hardtop: 8 ft. 2 in. (2.49 m)

Bridge clearance - Meters2.01

Bridge clearance - Meters2.49

Bridge clearance - Inches79

Bridge clearance - Inches98

Deadrise20℃

Draft [drive up] - Detail15 in. (0.38 m)

Draft [drive up] - Detail16 in. (.41 m)

Draft [drive up] meters0.38

Draft [drive up] meters0.41

Draft [drive up] inches15

Draft [drive up] inches16

Draft [max] - Detail32 in. (0.81 m)

Draft [max] - Detail29.5 in. (0.75 m)

Draft [max] - Meters0.81

Draft [max] - Meters0.76

Draft [max] - Inches32

Draft [max] - Inches29.5

Weight - Detail2,085 lbs. (964 kg)

Weight - Detail4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg)

Weight - kg945.74

Weight - kg1950.45

Weight - lbs.2085

Weight - lbs.43

Height [transom]20 in. (0.51 m)

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet18

Length - Feet24

Length overall - Detail18 ft. (5.48 m)

Length overall - Detailnot available

Length overall - Meters5.49

Length overall - Metersnot available

Length overall - Inches216

Length overall - Inchesnot available

Length - Metersnot available

Length - Meters7.42

Length - Inchesnot available

Length - Inches4

Length [over all with swim platform]not available

Length [over all with swim platform]With pulpit: 24 ft. 4 in. (7.42 m)

Body / Hull

Hull materialFiberglass

Hull typeModified Vee

Hull typeDeep Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail49 gal. (185.5 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Detail180 gal. (682 l)

Fuel tank capacity - Liters185.49

Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37

Fuel tank capacity - Gal49

Fuel tank capacity - Gal18

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeOutboard - Twin

Engine max150 hp (111.9 kW)

Engine max450 hp (336 kW)

Operational Info

Water capacitynot available

Water capacity8 gal. (30 l)(option)

Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 vs Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008?

The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 is the longer of the two at 24,0 feet overall. The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 6,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which is easier to trailer — the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008?

For trailering, the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 has the edge at 43 lbs dry weight versus 2 085 lbs for the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 is rated to a maximum of 450 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many passengers can the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 carry?

The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 has an official capacity rating of 5 people. Capacity data wasn't available for the other model in this comparison — verify directly with the dealer.

Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?

The Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 measures 105" wide, compared to 96" for the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 or the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008?

The Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 has the bigger tank at 49 gallons, versus 18 gallons on the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008. That 31-gallon difference translates to roughly 93–155 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 and Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 and the Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 are built by Wellcraft. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← Wellcraft 180 Sportsman 2010 full specs ← Wellcraft 252 Fisherman 2008 full specs